Over the past decades, Kazakhstan has managed to significantly increase the populations of a number of endangered animal species, reports a correspondent for the Kazinform agency.
This was stated by the chief researcher of the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan, chief editor of the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Yashchenko.
— As of today, 227 species are registered in the list of rare and endangered animal species in Kazakhstan. However, thanks to scientific research, we proposed to revise this list and reduce it to 217 species, which indicates positive changes in the populations of some species, — Roman Yashchenko said at a briefing of the regional communications service.
Special attention is paid to the preservation of the snow leopard, one of the symbols of Almaty. About 70% of its habitats in Kazakhstan are protected by nature reserves. Scientists use camera traps and satellite telemetry for monitoring and study. Already 11 snow leopards have received satellite collars, which helps to better track their migrations and lifestyle.
“Thanks to systemic measures, the number of snow leopards in Kazakhstan has increased from a critically low level of 80-100 individuals in the 1990s to approximately 160-180 individuals today,” Roman Yashchenko emphasized.
In 2024, two large-scale projects entered an active phase in Kazakhstan – to restore the tiger and Przewalski’s horse. Historically, these animals inhabited the country, but were completely exterminated.
Deputy Director General of the Institute of Zoology Marina Chirikova reported that 21 animal species were excluded from the Red Book list due to stabilization of their populations, including 19 invertebrates and two vertebrates. Their populations have stabilized and they are no longer under threat of extinction. However, 11 new species were added to the list, including three insect species, two bird species and one mammal species.
— For example, the number of griffon vultures in the Karatau Mountains has decreased by 95% over the past 12 years. The black vulture, which in 2002 numbered about 250 pairs in Kazakhstan, has practically disappeared from the region. The jungle cat is also included in the list, since its presence in the country is confirmed only by old records, — added Marina Chirikova.
Let us recall that at the end of February, a camera trap recorded a snow leopard (Panthera uncia), listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the Altyn-Emel National Park .
Which rare animals and insects are included in the new Red Book of Kazakhstan – in the material of Kazinform.
https://www.inform.kz/ru/krasnaya-kniga-kazahstana-popolnilas-novimi-vidami-448bcc